Temecula offers parking for Purple Heart recipients

Purple signs that designate parking spaces for wounded veterans have recently sprouted in Temecula's public parking lots.

The city launched the campaign to honor Purple Heart recipients on June 21 by putting up signs at recreation facilities and other city-owned property. The signs are also being offered to businesses for $108, the cost to make each sign (post not included).

The signs don’t displace existing ADA parking spots.

“We have a wounded veteran who lives in town,” said Greg Butler, the director of public works. “He was a recipient of a home from [the] Gary Sinise [foundation], and came forward with the request asking if we’d deploy the signs, and we supported it wholeheartedly.”

It was retired 28-year-old Marine Cpl. Juan Dominguez, a Purple Heart recipient, who proposed the parking-spot idea to the Temecula City Council in March.

Dominguez lost both legs and his right arm in late 2010 while serving in Afghanistan. He has become well known and loved in Temecula, and in 2012 the city declared February 14 “We Love Juan Dominguez Day.”

The application form for the sign is available at the city’s website.